Downton Abbey Season 5 Finale

Shall I compare this season to Mrs. Denker’s soup?  It started with little promise, yet over time the ingredients simmered until at last the Dowager could declare it, “Delicious!”

The episode begins as brightly coated Mary walks through the thick prison walls to pay Anna a visit.  It’s touching to see Mary fiercely defend her maid.  Anna is understandably depressed and fearful.  “Who knows what they’ll kick up?”  There is little evidence to support her case. One wonders what else the police have got wrong.

At Downton, Mr. Bates is shaken but determined saying, “She is strong.”  Mr. Barrow is taking over for Bates as Lord Grantham’s valet on their grouse-hunting trip.  Ms. Baxter has replaced Anna for as long as she is incarcerated.  The Dowager is annoyed by Anna’s situation, as if it’s her fault!  Shrimpie has found the Princess Kaurgin and Dowager will be hosting the reunion. When Isobel points out that they don’t like each other. The Dowager sighs, “Never complain, never explain!” (Healthy mental health advice from the D.C.) Edith gets a comment in, “You usually have no trouble complaining, Grannie!”

Much like the Dowager, Carson is concerned about the controversy Anna’s situation will bring to the family.  He disapproves of Mary’s visit.  Mr. Bates explains that he’d “Cut off his right arm” to help her.  Barrow can’t resist, “But we can’t have you wobbly at both ends!”  Mean but funny.  Carson offers Mrs. Hughes some leftover wine as they discuss their potential real estate venture.

The departure to Brancaster looms, Susan was upset that she didn’t get an invitation. (Because of her pending divorce.) As Edith reaches out to Marigold to say goodbye, she almost slips and says, “Come to mommy!”  But she catches herself at the last minute and awkwardly says, “Come to me.”

The Dowager goes to the station to see the family off.  Mary is surprised Grannie is bothering to which the Dowager replies, “You act as though I’m a salmon who laid my eggs in the gravel and then swam back out to the sea!”  Mary is unimpressed; “You’re maternal when it suits you!”  As the family leaves, Isobel mentions the complicated connections between the family members and wonders,  “Who will be shooting at whom!” by the end of the week.

Mrs. Patmore ventures upstairs for a rare glimpse at those surroundings.  Daisy and the maids work to cover the furniture.  On the train, Edith worries about an outing planned for the children in their absence. Bitchy as ever, Mary retorts, “I’m the mother and I’m not panicking!”  Meanwhile, the traveling servants will be under the orders of the butler at Brancaster.

A glowing Rose and Atticus welcome the family to Brancaster.  Lord Sinderby has acquired the estate from a Lord Hexam.  As they enter the estate he describes it as “cozy”. (Cozy was my 200 square foot studio in San Francisco which I shared with my boyfriend!)  Their butler Stowell is already fussing about having to serve the riff-raff Grantham clan, he’s going to make Carson look like a hippie.

The Dowager and Isobel have stayed behind at Downton.  The reunion between Prince and Princess Kaurgin is imminent.  The Prince has not seen his wife for five years. The Dowager notes, “The presence of strangers is the only way to guarantee good behavior.” Isn’t that the truth.

Mary is upset at the butler’s condescending attitude, especially towards Branson. The ever so irritating feud continues between Spratt and Denker.  This week it’s focus is on Mrs. Denker’s cooking credentials. (Yawn!)

Carson and Mrs. Hughes discuss property for their potential joint venture.  A somber Mr. Bates is off to visit Anna in prison.  When he arrives she shares with him a secret that the police are using as evidence.  Anna lost her father at a young age and her mother remarried.  The stepfather was an abusive alcoholic and he molested her regularly.  Anna’s mother didn’t help her so one night Anna took a knife and defended herself against him.  There were no charges brought against HER, and certainly the stepfather wasn’t charged for hurting Anna.  It’s infuriating that this “blaming the victim” has persisted from her childhood to the present situation.  At least her husband supports her, “I don’t doubt.”  They note how the tables have been turned since Mr. Bates was wrongly incarcerated and Anna supported him.

At Brancaster, Lord Sinderby’s refusal to invite Rose’s parents is noted.  Lady Sinderby welcomes Branson and they discuss the difficulty of “blended” families.  Stowell continues to be as annoying as Lord Sinderby.  Rose notes, “That the servants know more about us then we do about them.” That could be potentially hazardous to a family’s reputation.  As the shooting commences, Robert confesses he finds Lord Sinderby a “prig”. 

Mary, in a beautiful evening dress, conspires to teach Stowell a lesson by enlisting the help of Mr. Barrow.  Mr. Barrow would like to take Lord Sinderby down a notch as well.  Mr. Barrow has sent a letter to the cook.

The Princess is presented to the Dowager, Isobel, Lord Merton and the Prince.  She is about as charming as black widow.  She complains about the loss of her position and loss of possessions and the insult of having to accept the Dowager’s help! (She should have stayed lost!)

Dinner at Brancaster commences.   Another guest, Charlie Rogers, has invited himself to the grouse hunt to the annoyance of Lord Sinderby.  Lord Sinderby complains loudly as he is served a different meal then the others.  Its determined that a “special request” was sent to the cook for a bland meal. (Mr. Barrow’s doing.) Lord Sinderby is livid and directs his venom on Stowell and Mr. Barrow calling the latter a “Stupid fool!” (One wonders how he would cope in a real crisis!)

After Princess Sourpuss excuses herself, the Prince laments the Dowager’s decision to not accept his proposal of love and companionship. The Prince departs.  Isobel is still confused as to why the Dowager would orchestrate such an uncomfortable reunion.  Due to his wife living, she could never have accepted the Prince’s offer. However, the Dowager laments, “I shall never again receive an immoral proposal, was I wrong to savor it?”

Robert and Cora converse before bed.  He confesses his mysterious errands have been to see a doctor about ongoing pain he feels in his chest, stomach and arm.  The fear is he may have a heart condition.  Cora begs him not go out shooting the following day but he insists it relaxes him. He resolves to speak to Edith about his knowledge of Marigold’s paternity but agrees with Cora to keep the secret from Mary for now.

At the Dowager’s, Spratt dares Denker to make the Dowager some broth.  Denker goes up to Downton to enlist the cook’s assistance. After several tries, Daisy offers to make the soup and smuggle it down to the Dowager’s house.

Robert enters Edith’s bedroom. He reveals that he knows that Marigold is his granddaughter.  Edith is relieved and fearful.  She begs her father not to tell Mary yet.  Robert thinks that Branson has figured out her secret.  Edith asks for her father’s forgiveness and he touchingly says that he is the one who needs her forgiveness.  It’s a beautiful moment between the two and a resolution to the season long tension regarding her secret.

Now that Barrow has been insulted, he is hungry for a bigger plot against Lord Sinderby.  To that end, he cozies up to the grumpy butler Stowell.  Stowell is eager to air the family’s dirty laundry and reveals him self to be another anti-Semite.  He will regret his confidence in Barrow shortly.

Rose and the younger set go for a walk.  Atticus reveals that he was offered a job in New York that he is considering. (Given the British prejudices, it seems like a good plan.) Edith again tells Branson that she will miss him; these long goodbyes are getting a little tedious.

Anna meets with the lawyer who hopes to conceal the incident with her stepfather. He fears it would establish a “history of violence.” What about the men responsible for violating her?  Bates asks the lawyer if she will be convicted.  (I’m still screaming, where is their evidence, we know Anna is innocent!)

Isobel now must decide if she will marry Lord Merton. The big problem is the disapproval of “Dickey’s” sons.  He tries to plead with her that the boys didn’t really understand the difficult marriage he had with their mother.  Isobel doesn’t want to be the wedge between the boys and their father.

Carson and Mrs. Hughes speak again about real estate.  At last Mrs. Hughes decides to end this shared dream by saying, “Things I don’t say.” She relates that she has a sister who had special needs and had to choose whether she was going to take care of her or work and put her in a facility where she could get the care she required. That choice to support her sister has left her without any savings or hope of retirement.  Therefore, she can’t enter into a business partnership with him.

At the hunt, Mary chats with the “agent” of the self-invited guest at the grouse hunt. Mary is cross with him for taking Atticus’s place in the hunting line up.  She is so cruel with him; he’ll no doubt be in love with her soon!  Edith is with Charlie, a distant cousin of Lord Hexam. (Previous owners of Brancaster) He seems nice and unafraid that she “cares for an orphan girl” at Downton.  It would be nice to see Edith have a suitor for once.

Isobel shares a letter she received from Lord Merton’s oldest awful son Larry.  In short, he tells her that if they marry, he will never have a relationship with either of them.  This information seems to settle the issue for Isobel and the engagement is off. (If love is not worth fighting for, is it love?)  The Dowager remarks that Dr. Clarkson will be relieved.  Isobel is clueless of his pining for her.  Maybe he’ll finally get up the courage to tell her how he feels!

Robert leaves the hunt early due to some chest pain.  The families are relaxing when an unexpected visitor arrives.  Cora immediately senses a problem and enlists Rose’s help.  Rose approaches the woman and her young son and explains to Lady Sinderby that it’s her friend she invited to stop by.  Lord Sinderby goes pale; it’s his lover and illegitimate son who is named after him!  The woman is Diana Clark and she was summoned to speak to his Lordship alone.  This was Barrow’s trick and it’s awful for this woman and her child, but it does take down Lord Sinderby. (All that hot air about the horrors of divorce when he is obviously cheating on poor Lady Sinderby!)

A telegram has arrived that Anna’s trial date has been set.  Mr. Bates leaves Downton after writing some letters and giving them to Mosley to post the next day. Is he going to take the blame for Mr. Greene’s death?

Robert thinks Barrow was behind Ms. Clark’s appearance.  As the woman leaves, she thanks Rose from sparing her more embarrassment.  Atticus and Lady Sinderby remain ignorant to her identity.  Lord Sinderby recognizes he has been exposed as a hypocrite and begs Robert, Rose and Mary to keep his wretched secret.  They agree. Lord Sinderby promises to invite Rose’s parents soon realizing how indebted he is to her quick thinking.  Robert remarks to him, “She (Rose) will love you forever, if you’d let her.”  To lighten the mood, they leave to enjoy the new gramophone.

As Mary and Talbot the agent dance, he reveals that he is wise to there being some situation earlier regarding Ms. Clark’s sudden appearance.  Mary appreciates his intellect.  When he leaves later, she discovers that the fancy motorcar is his and he likes to race them. Another day, another suitor for Mary.

It’s revealed that Mr. Bates has confessed to the killing of Mr. Greene in his letter. Mr. Mosley decides to go to their house to look for clues to exonerate the couple.  He takes a picture of Mr. Bates.  Carson believes that Mr. Bates has fled to Ireland and has left an address as an emergency contact.

Anna is released from prison but is upset that her husband lied and is on the run. Mary tries to console her by letting her use the front door, which Anna shrewdly declines.  Robert reveals that the doctor’s have diagnosed him with an ulcer.  In those days, that meant a crazy bland diet and no alcohol.  Robert pleads with Cora to let him have drinks at Christmas and she reluctantly agrees.

At the Dowager’s, this ridiculous soup saga is almost over.  Spratt gloats to Denker, “Your unmasking is at hand!”  The Dowager tastes the bloody soup and declares it delicious.  Spratt attempts to make some further jab at Denker but is interrupted by the Dowager, “There is point where malice ceases to be amusing!” This soup fiasco ceased to be amusing from the beginning.

Edith and Branson talk.  He lets her know that “I grew up with a lot of Marigold’s.” It’s a relief for Edith to have his support, even as he’s leaving.  Flush with money from the sale of the famous painting, Carson agrees to hire a permanent replacement for Jimmy.  Mr. Barrow suggests Andrew. (Is there a spark between those two!)? It appears he’s been hired as he’s seen trimming the enormous Christmas tree.

Mosley and Baxter have an announcement for the Grantham’s, they have found the inn where Mr. Bates had lunch the day Mr. Greene met the reaper.  The two went to every pub in York until one owner remembers meeting Bates and even discussing their experiences in the Boer War.  It’s great news for Mr. Bates, but will that just mean that Anna will be re-arrested?  There is a rumor that the “eye-witness” is having doubts about having seen Anna.  This flimsy case is so infuriating!

Isobel breaks the bad news to Lord Merton.  He is furious at his boys for ruining his “Last chance at happiness!”  Isobel seems rather detached from him, shaking his hand and simply saying “I will always remember you with great affection.”  A brush off Dickey compares to “spitting in my eye.”  It’s hard to believe Isobel really loved him as he loved her.

Rose and Atticus celebrate their first Christmas at Downton.  It’s his first Christmas so the festivities overwhelm him.  Edith goes into the nursery to hang Marigold’s stocking.  As Branson and Mary enter, they share memories and a prayer for Sybil that’s very moving. (Reminiscent of the moment Edith tried to have before Sybil’s body was removed from the house.)  Robert observes his children and acknowledges this is a special moment for the family.

The Dowager and Isobel will continue to be best widow friends.  Isobel asks her for the real story behind the Prince.  It was love at first sight, even though they both were married.  They shared two weeks together at balls and social functions.  The Dowager was going to leave Lord Grantham and elope.  The Princess literally pulled her out of the carriage by her hair and prevented her from a losing her marriage and her family.  But would she have had a happier with the Prince?  Returning the Princess to her husband seemed to have completed history between them.

At the Christmas party, Robert is a happy drunk but Cora is worried he’ll make a fool of himself so enlists Branson to “save him”. Branson toasts him and they all sing, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”  Then Mary sings “Silent Night” while Edith plays the piano.  Mary has a lovely voice; it almost makes up for her bitchiness!

Carson asks to speak to Mrs. Hughes saying that he has come up with a solution to her inability to retire.  She is skeptical, saying that if he puts her name on the title he’d be stuck with her.  Then he finally says, “I want to be stuck with you!”  Mrs. Hughes can’t believe it, “I don’t think I’m hearing this right!”  He replies, “You are if you think I’m asking for you to marry me!”  Mrs. Hughes is speechless, so Carson agrees to give her time to consider this proposal.  Then she bursts out, “Of course I’ll marry you, you old booby! I thought you’d never ask!” (Tears of joy, I thought he’d never ask either!)

Robert and Branson are saying goodbye.  Branson acknowledges that he finally feels that Downton is his home and he’s grateful.  There is a round of applause for all his hard work.  Mr. Bates sneaks in and taps Anna’s shoulder, then indicates to keep quiet.  She leaves to join him and he leaves his cane at the door.  It’s dizzying to see them together at last and there may be a baby Bates after all!

That’s all until next year! A happy ending to crazy season.